Attractions Nearby Puntarenas, Day Trips and Excursions

(Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Puntarenas is well-situated for day trips to all the Costa Rican national parks, eco-reserves, areas of biodiversity, adventure activities, recreational attractions and unspoiled offshore islands in the region.

A unique and eerily beautiful destination in the high peaks is the mist-shrouded Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, dripping with orchids and vines, and resonant with birdsong and wildlife attractions. Costa Rica is a volcanic region with the active Arenal cone spitting lava into the night sky, Poas breathing its acid clouds, and hot springs waiting to revive the weary traveller.


Possible excursions from Puntarenas include destinations such as Jaco, Liberia, Matapalo, Nicoya, Quepos, San Jose, Tarcoles and the Peninsula de Nicoya, amongst many others.

Arenal Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcan Arenal)

Address: Arenal Volcano National Park, North-West Costa Rica, CR
The perfectly symmetrical cone of this highly active volcano rises from the flat plain at its feet and is one of Costa Rica's most famous sights. Seen at night from hundreds of miles away, its constant lava flow and loud explosions remind visitors not to get too close, even with a guide. Hiking trails pass though lava fields from ancient eruptions, and hikers will be immediately informed if certain trails become unsafe due to present lava paths. The Arenal Volcano is at its most photogenic when seen from Lake Arenal.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free, charge for guide

Liberia

Amongst the most developed cities in Costa Rica, apart from the capital, Liberia is known for its customs and folklore, and is fast becoming a tourist hub in its own right for its sleepy colonial ambience and modern facilities. The city is located close to several national parks, one of which, the Rincon da Vieja, is home to an active volcano - the Rincon Volcano. Liberia also makes a good base for the beaches and coastal attractions of the Peninsula de Nicoya.

Gulf of Nicoya

Separating the Nicoya peninsula from the Costa Rican mainland is this stunning coastal and marine landscape with its wetlands, jagged cliffs, mangrove forests and rocky islands. Amazing biodiversity is here, both in the ocean and on land. In its lower part, the peninsula is sparsely populated, with forested hills and secret bays.

Isla de Coco National Park

Address: Isla de Coco National Park, Offshore from Puntarenas, Costa Rica, CR
This small, lush uninhabited island national park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, due to its unique unspoiled biodiversity. Famous French explorer Jacques Cousteau has called this one of the loveliest islands in the world and the marine life around its coastline attracts hordes of divers and snorkellers, who come to view sharks of all kinds at the abrupt meeting point between deep and shallow waters. Visitors are allowed onshore only by permission of the park's rangers and cannot stay overnight.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge for boat trip

Nicoya

Nicoya Town was the original capital of Costa Rica and is now the main town on the peninsula of the same name. Attractions include the country's oldest church (the Iglesia de San Blas), charming old streets, a fine well-tended park and a recently restored museum displaying ancient religious artefacts. Close by are the beach villages of Nosara and Samara, while many people flock to Nicoya on July 25th, to join in the festivities at the Dia de Guanacaste, or on December 12th, when the Festival de La Virgin de Guadalupe is staged.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde)

Address: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica, CR
The forested high mountains inland from the Pacific coast have their own unique microclimate. This results in the mysterious mists swirling around the towering treetops which give the forest its name. Eco-tourists will love the primeval feel of this quiet, remote place, and will thrill to the abundant species in its fragile eco-systems. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve covers approximately 26,000 acres / 10,500 hectares and enjoys visitor numbers of around 75,000 people each year. Those with an interest in birdwatching will find more than 400 different species of birds here. In the small town of Monteverde itself, the Monteverde Nature Centre and Butterfly Garden is a great distraction for families.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge for guide and transport

San Jose

The Costa Rican capital of San Jose is situated around 110 km / 69 miles to the east of Puntarenas and is easily reachable in under two hours. Much of the appeal of San Jose lies in the exciting and vibrant atmosphere to be found within its downtown district, as well as the plentiful colonial attractions within the Barrio Amon neighbourhood. A good way to introduce yourself to Latin American culture here is to pay a visit to the Central Market (Mercado Central) or to simply hang out on the Plaza de la Cultura. If you are visiting as a family with young children, then consider spending time at the Simon Bolivar Zoological Park (Parque Zoológico Simon Bolivar), the Butterfly Garden (Spirogyra Jardin de Mariposas) or at the spacious Savannah Park (Parque Metropolitano La Sabana). The Children's Museum (Museo de los Ninos) is another big family orientated attraction and comes packed with interactive fun.

Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park

Address: Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park, Costa Rica, CR
Tel: +506 2250 0705
Comprising a series of botanical gardens filled with flora from different parts of Costa Rica, the Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park comes with lush forests, mature palms, endless clumps of bamboo, groups of cacti and various pastures. The gardens are best seen by a cable car, which offers aerial views of the park and is a particular highlight. Various recreational attractions and activities present themselves within the Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park, such as rock climbing, horseback riding and tours through the canopy. There are also a couple of hedge mazes, a reptile house and lots of colourful orchids.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for students

Carara National Park (Parque Nacional Carara)

Address: Parque Nacional Carara, Costa Rica, CR
The Carara National Park resides between the southerly rainforests and the drier forests of north-western Costa Rica. This park is something of a sanctuary for native wildlife, with scarlet macaws being a common sight in the sky. Located just 50 km / 31 miles to the south of Puntarenas, the Parque Nacional Carara covers just under 13,000 acres / 5,260 hectares and also comes with some small archeological sites of interest and various hiking trails, such as the Sendero Laguna Meandrica trail.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Quepos

Quepos is a small town sited roughly 140 km / 88 miles to the south-east and is used by most visitors as nothing more than a gateway to the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio. This gorgeous national park boasts hills of lush rainforest, all the way to the coastline, while in Quepos itself, the recently opened Pez Vela Marina has become a major tourist magnet and this marina is currently the biggest of its kind in Costa Rica. The Pez Vela Marina is now one of the principal reasons that tourism is picking up in Quepos and is a great place to arrange a sport fishing trip along the coastline, where Pacific sailfish, roosterfish and tuna are all in good supply, amongst many others.

Matapalo

Although a fair trek from Puntarenas, being approximately 167 km / 104 miles to the west and therefore not really suitable for a day trip as such, excursions to Matapalo are popular, especially with the surf crowd. This really is a burgeoning surf destination, with some exceptional waves suiting the more experienced of surfer and a choice of very sensibly priced accommodation. For something a little more on the gentle side, the outlying Terciopelo Waterfalls have become renowned for their natural swimming pools and beautiful scenery.

Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge (Hacienda Baru Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre)

Address: Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica, CR
Residing along the scenic Pacific coast and close to Dominical is the Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge, covering an area of more than 750 acres / 300 hectares. The reserve's habitat is particularly diverse and rich in native flora and fauna. Ecological tourism plays an important part in funding projects within the reserve, with guided tours being especially popular and including tree climbing, canopy platforms and an exciting zip line. Self-guided trails are also to hand, along with a lengthy stretch of beachfront, orchid gardens and a tower used for watching the birds.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Marino Ballena National Park (Parque Nacional Marino Ballena)

Address: Marino Ballena National Park, Costa Rica, CR
This magnificent marine park is to be found around 200 km / 124 miles to the south-east, close to Uvita, and surrounds the Isla Ballena. Most holiday makers tend to overlook the Marino Ballena National Park, in favour of more prominent and commercial attractions. However, with its abundance of dolphins, seasonal migrating humpback whales and beaches frequented by breeding sea turtles, the park offers the chance to get up close to some wonderful marine life. Scuba diving trips are available, while the surfing conditions off the Playa Colonia are often very good.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free